Commemorative Medals
Commemorative medals are struck from time to time to mark important anniversaries and other great occasions.
Canadian Centennial Medal (1967)
The Canadian Centennial Medal was issued in 1967 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, and was awarded to Canadians who were recommended by governments and associations for having provided valuable service to this country.
Federal, provincial and municipal government agencies were invited to submit nominations, as were national professional, educational and cultural organizations, military and protective services, veterans’ groups, sports associations, and philanthropic and charitable bodies. As a result, some 30 000 Medals were conferred on Canadians selected from all sectors of Canadian society.
Description: a silver circular medal with a thin plain raised rim:
- the obverse of which carries the Royal Cipher (EIIR) and Crown superimposed on a large single maple leaf; the inscription on the circumference reads CONFEDERATION . CANADA . CONFÉDÉRATION with the word CANADA situated at the top of the Medal, and
- the reverse of which features the Coat of Arms of Canada, and the dates 1867-1967
- the Medal is worn suspended from a white ribbon, with red edges and four equally spaced narrow red stripes between the red edges, plus a single stitch of white thread on the edge
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)
The Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal was created in 1977 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the ascension of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the throne. The Medal was awarded to recipients in recognition of their worthy and devoted service in various walks of life, and reflected the esteem in which they were held by their associates.
Agencies of government at the federal, provincial and local levels were invited to propose candidates, as were national organizations in every important field of endeavour including the professions, education and arts, veterans’ groups, sports associations, philanthropic and charitable bodies, and welfare services.
Description: a circular silver medal with a smooth raised rim:
- on the obverse of which is an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, wearing the Royal Crown; the inscription around the rim reads ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID DEF., and
- on the reverse of which is a large stylized maple leaf inscribed with CANADA around the top rim, and 1952 EIIR 1977 in small lettering around the bottom rim; the Royal Cipher (EIIR) has a small crown on top
- the watered white ribbon (representing silver) has cardinal red edge stripes, and the middle is garter blue, with a cardinal stripe running through its centre
125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal (1992)
Issued in 1992 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, the Medal honours Canadians who have made a significant contribution to their fellow citizens, to their community or to Canada. It was awarded to civilians as well as to members of the military, recognizing approximately 42 000 Canadians from all walks of life, from every region of Canada, from varied ethno-cultural backgrounds and from a multitude of disciplines.
Description: the Medal is silver-coloured:
- on the obverse of which is the Royal Cipher (EIIR) surmounted by the Royal Crown, superimposed on a large single maple leaf, and circumscribed with the legend CONFEDERATION . CONFÉDÉRATION and the dates 1867-1992 at the bottom, and
- on the reverse of which is the Coat of Arms of Canada, encircled by the motto ribbon of the Order of Canada which reads DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM, and surmounted by the central portion of the Royal Crest of Canada – a crowned lion holding a maple leaf in the right front paw, circumscribed with Canada’s motto A MARI USQUE AD MARE
- the white ribbon has edges of blue and five red stripes equally spaced between the two blue stripes
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal was created in 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ascension of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the throne. The Medal was awarded to Canadians who have made outstanding and exemplary contributions to their communities or to Canada as a whole.
The award focuses both on the achievements of those people who, over the past 50 years, have helped create the Canada of today, and on the achievements of younger Canadians who are actively contributing to our future.
In order to ensure all regions of Canada were represented, various organizations were invited to propose candidates, including the federal, provincial and territorial levels of government; national professional, educational and cultural organizations; the military; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; veterans’ groups; sports associations; and philanthropic and charitable bodies.
Description: a circular gold-plated bronze medal with a thin raised edge:
- on the obverse of which is an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, wearing the King George IV State Diadem, circumscribed with QUEEN OF CANADA . REINE DU CANADA, and
- on the reverse of which is a large stylized maple leaf, with CANADA inscribed at the bottom, and 1952 and 2002 inscribed on either side of the Royal Cipher and Crown
- the Medal is worn suspended from a broad royal blue ribbon, with red outer stripes, and double white stripes with a red central stripe
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
A new commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. During the year of celebrations, 60 000 deserving Canadians will be recognized.
To ensure that a variety of fields of activity are recognized, partner organizations have been invited to nominate candidates from their community or organization for this national honour. Members of the general public are welcome to contact the offices of members of Parliament, senators, lieutenant governors, territorial commissioners, or provincial and territorial premiers to suggest names of candidates. Recommendations can also be made for individuals affiliated with non-governmental organizations participating in this program.
Description: composed of nickel silver and features a proof finish
- The obverse depicts a crowned image of the Sovereign, in whose name the medal is bestowed;
- The reverse marks the sixtieth, or diamond, anniversary of the accession to the Throne of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The anniversary is expressed by the central diamond shape, by the background composed of a pattern of diamonds, and by the two dates. The Royal Cypher consists of the Royal Crown above the letters EIIR (i.e., Elizabeth II Regina, the latter word meaning Queen in Latin). The maple leaves refer to Canada, while the motto VIVAT REGINA means “Long live The Queen!”;
- The ribbon uses a new arrangement of the blue, red and white colours found in the 1953 Coronation Medal, the 1977 Silver Jubilee Medal, and the 2002 Golden Jubilee Medal;
- The design was created by the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
